"Once a month he visits Ade so she always prepares red roses because that's her favorite."
‘Why don’t you just hit me on the head that vase aunt?’
"Jr. really loves his girlfriend, doesn't he?"
‘Mom, I’m your child.’
"First love that's why you know that---- when first love doesn't just fade away," said Aunt Mila.
"I agree, that's true. Their dad was my first love so I got married right after school,” replied mama. "I'm also his first love," added mama.
"We are also with Jr's late father," said aunt Mila with a smile. They were really overwhelmed by their first loves.
"Auntie, is Jr. your only child?" I change the subject because their topic is painful and they are still numb because they really feel that someone is affected by their conversation. Even though they knew I was here, an NBSB who secretly liked a guy.
"Oh no, they are all four boys and Jr. is the eldest." Oh lucky, I still have hope for his brothers. Maybe they are handsome also. And Maybe I can transfer my crush to them. "Two are in Canada and both are married, while one is in Dubai and is also married." Unfortunately and well taken.
"Oh, why Jr didn't they get married when Adeline?" I ask.
Mama and aunt Mila looked at each other and then at me at the same time. Is there wrong with my question? Isn't Adeline his girlfriend that he loves so much. Then why are they haven't they gotten married yet?
"Ehem!" I cleared my throat because I feel awkward the way they look at me.
"Hija, Adeline died seven years ago." I was surprised by what aunt Mila said. I was a little embarrassed about myself because I didn’t expect that. I am feeling affected not knowing that she is dead.
"I'm sorry." I apologize that I also don’t know why I was suddenly embarrassed. Call me crazy but there is a part of my heart that is happy. Am I an evil creature and will I go to hell?
"It's okay," said Aunt Mila. "That's why Jr. became miserable because of the loss of Ade because they were young and really grew up together. Jr. was really stubborn when he was young, so he didn't finish studying. He was also often in trouble, only Ade could stop him. There is no objection to their relationship because Jr. is kind to Ade's family and her parents also voted for him.”
My formerly secret joy suddenly turned to sadness. The moody I feel now.
I am a teen fic author and everything I write is pure love with a happy ending. That's why I feel sad when I hear of lovers who don't get along. Especially in real life. Even if I say that I had a crush on Jr, there is still the pain that he couldn't stay with the woman he loves.
I can’t imagine how he looks and feels those ‘times’. Maybe it was too much pain for him. Because until now he still hasn’t been able to move on. To this day he still takes the time to visit her grave to bring flowers.
"Hija are you okay?"
“Huh? Ah yes, I'm just saddened by what you said. I didn't think Jr. had such a past.” I smiled in response to her.
“Because Mia is the writer of teen fiction. So almost everything she writes has a happy ending that is why she is sad.” Mama is really talkative at all times.
“Oh, Jr is happy now somehow. I can see that he is slowly moved on with what has happened. Maybe bringing flowers to the cemetery somehow help him. Somehow he thinks Ade is really gone.”
I could only answer with a sigh because of what aunt Mila said.
"Auntie, is it ok for me to ask why Ade die?"
"I'll tell you but promise not to mention to Jr. that you know the reason?" I nodded and promised her. “Ade was stabbed by a snatcher once when she came home early in the morning from work. Jr. could not pick her up then because Jr. was hospitalized with dengue fever. Ade was dead on arrival and the sad thing is that Jr. never saw her again when he got out of the hospital because Adeline was already buried.”
I feel like I can't breathe. I feel the weight of my heart. Even to say that it's been a long time and I haven't known them before I can't help but be sad. For me my life is not happy so in writing, I always want to be happy. I always want to have a happy ending so that I can somehow make the readers feel that the person really has a happy ending.
So I'm really very affected when in reality there are those who are not happy with the ending. Especially if they are truly in love. Especially if they are destined to meet but stay together. The splendor of such a situation isn’t it? You have defeated the play of fate. You don't know if you will regret meeting him or be grateful because you have experienced being loved by someone like him.
Ah, for me it's really disgusting when someone that love each others doesn't get along. When someone falls in love one dies and the other is left behind. I was hurt for being left behind and thought they would be eventually then suddenly he would alone.
"Mom, can I take care of a rose?" Mama was surprised by my question and then looked at Aunt Mila and looked at me again.
"For what and why would you do that?" she asked in obvious disbelief.
"For Jr, so that he can give something to Ade." I honestly say.
"Why would you do that, Hija?" Even Aunt Mila was surprised while looking at me.
“I just want to get back at Jr. for what he did to me. At least that's where I can help him bring something to his girlfriend.” Mama smiled and touched my face.
"Are you sure about that?" She had a reassuring question.
"Of course, I am." my complacent answer.
"All right, you will care some," she replied with a smile.
"But you know maybe Jr.'s writing of poetry also helped to alleviate his sadness," said aunt Mia suddenly.
"Is Jr. writing a poem?" I was shocked to ask Aunt Mila?
“Yes. If you can see his room, there are so many notebooks that are almost full of poetry for Ade. That’s where he soaks when he’s sad. So when he locked himself in the room, I knew what he was doing.”
Jr. writes poetry, do you consider him a writer or an author? Even if you don't publish a book, aren't you still a writer?
But why is he angry with writers?
'Liars and deceivers.'
That what he said still echoes in my ears.
"Ma." All three of us turned around at once and I saw Jr. looking just awake. New wash because the face is still white.
“You are already awake. Myrna and Mia are here to bring that rose to replace the dahlia.” He nodded at me which I nodded as well. "Mia said, she said she will help her mother plant a rose so she can give it to you."
I saw him frown as if in disbelief. I can't blame him because it seems like he just saw me picking up mama's plants. Then today I will help to grow a rose.
"Really?" he asked when he could close to us as his eyes narrowed at me.
"Yes, at least I can make up for you, and at least I have a contribution somehow." His eyes narrowed as if examining me to see if I was telling the truth. "You do not believe?" He smiled at me as if he wanted to laugh. There's his dimple again.
"Did you mean that?"
"Yes,"
"I'll charge you every month, Mia." I looked at mama first and asked before answering.
"Mom, are there enough roses in a month?"
"Of course, as long as you take good care of them." I looked with pride at Jr.
"Sure, roses for you every month." Arrogant if said so they laughed.